Details on transfer payment programs
TPPs/funding agreements with total actual spending of $5 million or more
Community Futures (CF) Program
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Community Futures (CF) Program
Start date: 1995 (delivered in British Columbia by Western Economic Diversification (WD) until August 5, 2021, and by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) since August 6, 2021)
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021-22
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Business Services
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The CF Program helps grow vibrant local economies. The program provides financial support to CF organizations, which are incorporated, not-for-profit organizations. CFs provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and undertake community economic development initiatives.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, and data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's Departmental Results Framework (DRF).
Key results:
- Based on the latest available data from Statistics Canada, British Columbian firms that accessed lending services through the CF program saw an increase in their sales by two percent annually from 2017 to 2022; and
- CFs provided 466 loans to rural businesses with a value of $34.5 million that leveraged an additional $26.2 million. CFs provided 17,869 business advisory services and created, maintained or expanded 1,573 jobs through lending.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document.
Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: PacifiCan’s internal audit function is undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). PacifiCan conducts Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: The last evaluation for the CF Program was completed in 2019-20. An evaluation of the CF Program was initiated in 2024-25 and is expected to be completed by March 2026.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: Eligible applicants for the CF Program are the CF Organizations. PacifiCan has a long-standing strategy of engaging with these organizations to build awareness of PacifiCan's programs among prospective proponents.
| Type of transfer payment | 2022-23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 9,736,132 | 11,186,211 | 10,488,454 | 10,488,454 | 9,790,697 | (697,757) |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 9,736,132 | 11,186,211 | 10,488,454 | 10,488,454 | 9,790,697 | (697,757) |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in the CF Program decreased due to payment timing differences made to support recipients.
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI)
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI)
Start date: 2018 (delivered in British Columbia by WD until August 5, 2021 and by PacifiCan since August 6, 2021)
End date:
- REGI: Ongoing
- Black Entrepreneurship Program - Ecosystem Fund (BEP): March 31, 2030
- Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII): March 31, 2026
- Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI): March 31, 2027
- Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII): March 31, 2029
Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Innovation, Business Growth
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: REGI provides streamlined, nationally coordinated, regionally tailored support for business productivity and scale-up, particularly for SMEs, women and Indigenous entrepreneurs, and other underrepresented groups. REGI also assists in the enhancement of regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems. The program provides assistance through two streams:
- Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream: Investments made under this stream support high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies. It offers interest free repayable funding to incorporated businesses.
- Regional Innovation Ecosystems Stream: Investments made under this stream help create, grow, and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth, and competitiveness.
REGI also includes temporary funding streams:
- BEP: The BEP is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. BEP helps Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.
- RHII: The RHII supports the residential homebuilding supply chain and changes the way homes are built in British Columbia by advancing innovative homebuilding solutions and boosting manufacturing efficiency in the homebuilding sector.
- RQI: The RQI helps companies and not-for-profit organizations advance and commercialize quantum products and solutions for domestic and global markets.
- RAII: The RAII supports businesses that are commercializing or adopting artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in British Columbia, and not-for-profit organizations that are supporting AI commercialization or adoption and ecosystem development in British Columbia
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, and data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results for all programs operating under the REGI Terms and Conditions include:
- 1,970 jobs created (including 1,417 highly qualified personnel (HQP) jobs);
- $543.4 million in export sales growth;
- $40.3 million in business sales growth resulting from commercialization; and,
- 336 businesses created, maintained, or expanded.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document.
Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: PacifiCan’s internal audit function is undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). PacifiCan conducts Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: No evaluations were completed in 2024-25.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: The REGI BSP stream was delivered through a call for proposals process and the REGI RIE stream was delivered through a continuous intake process. Potential applicants and stakeholders for all programs were engaged through active outreach, media strategies and information provided on PacifiCan's public website.
| Type of transfer payment | 2022-23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 72,533,305 | 107,486,093 | 62,621,798 | 78,316,833 | 75,947,355 | 13,325,557 |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 72,533,305 | 107,486,093 | 62,621,798 | 78,316,833 | 75,947,355 | 13,325,557 |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in REGI increased as a result of additional funds to new initiatives, including RHII and RAII, as well as to support SMEs through BSP and RIE streams.
Western Diversification Program (WDP)
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Western Diversification Program (WDP)
Start date: 1987 (delivered in British Columbia by WD until August 5, 2021 and by PacifiCan since August 6, 2021.)
End date:
- WDP: Ongoing
- Tourism Growth Program (TGP): March 31, 2026
Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018-19
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Innovation, Business Growth, Business Services, Community Initiatives
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The WDP promotes economic development and diversification in British Columbia and advances British Columbia’s interests in national policy, program and project development and implementation. Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable; contributions to commercial projects or for-profit organizations may be repayable. The program provides assistance through several program streams. In 2024-25, these were:
- The Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) Program supports initiatives that contribute to economic growth and diversification of communities.
- The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) supports economic development and growth of Francophone businesses and communities.
- The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) supports entrepreneurs with disabilities, by providing business information, training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counseling services.
- The Francophone Economic Development Organization (FEDO) supports Francophone entrepreneurs and SMEs, by providing training, business and community economic development, access to capital, information services, marketing advice, networking and mentoring.
- The Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) provides early-stage entrepreneurship support for new and existing Indigenous entrepreneurs and business organizations in British Columbia.
- The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) helps small and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities to grow and develop tourism products and experiences that position British Columbia as a destination of choice.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, and data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan’s DRF.
Key results include:
- 3,530 jobs created (including 518 HQP jobs); and
- 70 contributing partners engaged in advancing community-based projects (providing financial or in-kind support).
For more information on results achieved, see the “Results: what we achieved” section in the main document.
Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: PacifiCan’s internal audit function is undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). PacifiCan conducts Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: There were no evaluations of the WDP completed in 2024-25. Planning for an evaluation of CEDD is currently underway and the evaluation is expected to be completed by March 2026.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: Potential applicants and stakeholders were engaged through active outreach, media strategies and/or information provided on PacifiCan’s public website.
| Type of transfer payment | 2022-23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 111,576,829 | 34,331,144 | 15,198,572 | 13,418,311 | 13,172,274 | (2,026,298) |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 111,576,829 | 34,331,144 | 15,198,572 | 13,418,311 | 13,172,274 | (2,026,298) |
Explanation of variances
Actual expenditures under WDP decreased because Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) funding was planned under WDP but spent under REGI.
TPPs/funding agreements with total actual spending of less than $5 million
Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program and Lytton Business Restart Program
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild (LHRR) Program and Lytton Business Restart (LBR) Program
Start date: 2023
End date: Anticipated 2027-28
Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022-23
Link to departmental result(s): Communities are economically diversified in British Columbia
Link to the department’s program inventory: Community Initiatives
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The LHRR Program and the LBR Program support the rebuild and economic recovery of the Village of Lytton, which was destroyed by a wildfire on June 30, 2021.
- The LHRR supports eligible homeowners who rebuild to fire-resilient, or fire-resilient and net-zero ready or net-zero standards, as defined by the program.
- The LBR supports eligible businesses to re-establish in the community and contribute to Lytton’s economic recovery including those owned and operated by Indigenous peoples, women, youth and other underrepresented groups.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results include:
- PacifiCan invested $2.16 million through the LBR program and $740,000 through the LHRR program.
- PacifiCan, working with its partners, developed fire-resilient construction resources guides for builders and community members supported by an in-community workshop.
- The Co-operators Group delivered a new financing option, developed in partnership with PacifiCan, to help homeowners access the LHRR program.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document.
Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: PacifiCan’s internal audit function is undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: Not applicable.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: The Lytton programs are delivered through a continuous intake process. Potential applicants and stakeholders were engaged through active outreach, community communications, and information provided on PacifiCan’s public website. PacifiCan, supported by CFs and WeBC, engaged with local businesses and community members and offered five sessions in the community to share information and provide direct supports for business planning and program applications.
| Type of transfer payment | 2022-23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 5,000 | 0 | 795,000 | 212,576 | 212,576 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,100,000 | 203,620 | 203,620 |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 5,000 | 0 | 1,895,000 | 416,196 | 416,196 |
Explanation of variances
The funding was reprofiled from fiscal year 2023-24 to 2024-25. Complexities in delivering the LHRR and the LBR programs in-community to affected residents and businesses resulted in both programs being extended.
Women’s Enterprise Initiative
Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI)
Start date: 1995 (delivered in British Columbia by WD until August 5, 2021 and by PacifiCan since August 6, 2021)
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses
Link to the department’s program inventory: Business Services
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The WEI provides supports to assist women entrepreneurs to start, scale-up and grow their businesses. It provides services to help women entrepreneurs develop the experience, expertise, assets, and credit record that would enable them to increase both the number and strength of women-owned businesses in British Columbia. It also increases the availability of capital to women-owned enterprises.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results include:
- 29 client loans with a value of $1.56 million;
- 5,602 business advisory services;
- 173 jobs created, maintained, or expanded through lending.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document.
Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: PacifiCan’s internal audit function is undertaken by the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). PacifiCan conducts Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: Not applicable.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: Not applicable.
| Type of transfer payment | 2022-23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 893,750 | 1,056,250 | 975,000 | 975,000 | 893,750 | (81,250) |
| Total other transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 893,750 | 1,056,250 | 975,000 | 975,000 | 893,750 | (81,250) |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in the WEI decreased due to payment timing differences made to the recipient.